Effect of topical Zingiber cassumunar on painful diabetic neuropathy: a double-blind randomized-controlled trial

Background: Plai or Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. was registered into the Thai Traditional Medicine list since 2011. However, there is limited evidence regarding as a treatment in painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate efficacy of topical Zingiber cassumunar. Methods: A RCT conducted patients with PDN during February March 2019. All participants received oral gabapentin 300 mg before bed standard regimen. The intervention group (n=16) balm 15%w/w 0.5 gram apply on their feet three times day and control (n=15) placebo similarly apply. Pain score at baseline, 2nd 4th weeks were assessed compared. Patients’ quality life, adverse events, collected. Mean pain scores after each between groups also analyzed. Results: At end week two four, showed statistically significant lesser mean than by -1.47 (95%CI: -1.96 -1.30, p-value < 0.001), -1.51 -1.92 -0.13, = 0.027), respectively. Moreover, had more cases number/ percentages least 50% reduction [12/16 (75%) vs 3/15 (20%), 0.004]. no difference life (overall 0.366). Adverse event not found any groups. Conclusions: (Plai) efficacious for neuropathy. Registration: Registered Clinical Trials Registry; TCTR20200221001.